tot

Until/To

Level 1

The Dutch word tot marks a boundary. It is most commonly translated as 'until' for time or 'up to/as far as' for physical locations.

How It Works

The preposition tot is a versatile tool for defining limits and results. Here is how it functions in different contexts:

1. Time (Until/Till)
It marks the moment an action ceases.
Example: Ik werk tot vijf uur. (I work until five o'clock).
Common greetings also use this: Tot ziens! (Until we see each other again). A very common fixed phrase is tot nu toe (so far/until now).

2. Space (As far as/Up to)
It indicates the physical boundary of a journey. Unlike naar (direction), tot emphasizes the limit. For physical objects, the variation tot aan is often used for extra precision.
Example: We liepen tot aan de rivier. (We walked as far as the river).

3. Transformations and Appointments
Tot is used to describe a change of state or a new role.
Example: Water bevriest tot ijs. (Water freezes into ice) or Hij werd tot ridder geslagen. (He was knighted).

4. Fixed Prepositional Verbs
Some verbs always take tot to connect to their object, such as behoren tot (to belong to) or leiden tot (to lead to).
Example: Dit leidt tot succes. (This leads to success).

5. Ranges (From... to)
When describing a range, tot is paired with van. Note that tot is often exclusive; to explicitly include the endpoint (like a date or page number), use the phrase tot en met (up to and including).
Example: Van maandag tot en met vrijdag. (From Monday to Friday inclusive).

6. Pronominal Adverbs
When you want to say 'to it' or 'to that' using tot, it changes form to toe and combines with words like er or daar. For example, tot + het becomes ertoe.

7. Conjunction Use
In spoken Dutch, tot is often used as a shorthand for totdat (until). When used this way to start a clause, it triggers subordinate clause word order (verbs go to the end).

Examples (6)

  1. De winkel is open van negen tot zes.

    The shop is open from nine until six.

    Word by Word: The shop is open from nine until six.

    This shows a standard time range using the 'van... tot' construction.

  2. Tot volgende week!

    Until next week! (See you next week!)

    Word by Word: Until next week!

    A very common way to say goodbye when you know when you will see the person again.

  3. Ik ren tot de hoek van de straat.

    I am running as far as the corner of the street.

    Word by Word: I run until the corner of the street.

    Here, 'tot' marks the physical endpoint of the run.

  4. Water bevriest tot ijs.

    Water freezes into ice.

    Word by Word: Water freezes until ice.

    In this context, 'tot' indicates a transformation or a change of state.

  5. Dit leidt tot grote problemen.

    This leads to big problems.

    Word by Word: This leads until big problems.

    Many verbs, like 'leiden', use 'tot' as a fixed preposition to show a result.

  6. Ik heb tot nu toe drie boeken gelezen.

    I have read three books so far.

    Word by Word: I have until now to three books read.

    'Tot nu toe' is a fixed expression meaning 'so far' or 'up until now'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'tot' for a destination instead of 'naar'.

    Ik ga tot Amsterdam.
    Ik ga naar Amsterdam.

    Use 'naar' for your destination. Use 'tot' only if you mean you are going 'as far as' the city limits but not necessarily inside, or if you are emphasizing the boundary.

  • Assuming 'tot' always includes the endpoint in a deadline.

    Different MeaningJe hebt tot vrijdag.
    Je hebt tot en met vrijdag.

    'Je hebt tot vrijdag' is correct Dutch, but it can be unclear whether Friday itself is included. To make clear that Friday counts, use 'tot en met' (up to and including).

  • Using 'tot het' instead of the pronominal adverb.

    Ik ben tot het verplicht.
    Ik ben ertoe verplicht.

    When referring to an inanimate object ('it'), 'tot' must change to 'toe' and combine with 'er'.

How It Connects

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totLevel 1Until/To

Learn This First

To use 'tot' effectively, you should understand basic prepositions of direction and origin, particularly 'van', as they often form pairs. Additionally, since 'tot' is frequently used to mark time limits, familiarity with Dutch time-telling is highly beneficial.

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